Tickety Tock by Jason Robert Brown, illus. by Mary GrandPré

In this beautiful story about finding balance between work and love, Jason Robert Brown’s rhythmic words are overshadowed only by the incredibly whimsical drawings of illustrator Mary GrandPré. Older children will appreciate the tale, but everyone can appreciate the wonderful artwork.
This book centers around a young man named Schmuel who is rushed through life by his family and taught that work is the most important part of life. One day, a schoolgirl asks him to make her a dress, but he tells her that there is no time. For the next 41 years, Schmuel works incessantly while dreaming of the dress he would make for the girl—if only he had the time. One night late in his workshop, his clock comes to life and encourages him to follow his dream. As he does, magic comes into play to give Schmuel back the life he truly desired.
“And the dress he made on that endless night was a dress that would make any soul take flight! It was blue as the sky and white as snow, and the collar was loose and the hem was low. There were flowers and leaves all over the sleeves, and a tiny heart, stitched where a real heart would go. And sewn into the seams were forty-one seasons of dreams,” writes Brown. Check out this book to find out whether or not Schmuel can finally bring the dress to the young girl he remembers! Check the WRL catalog for Tickety Tock.